Supervisory Horticulturist

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Supervisory Horticulturist is the senior technical authority for Smithsonian Gardens (SG), within the Smithsonian Institution’s Facilities Management organization. The role provides leadership, strategic direction, and professional expertise in horticultural operations, landscape design, plant stewardship, sustainable landscape management, visitor operations, and emergency management. Smithsonian Gardens manages public gardens, living plant collections, greenhouse and nursery operations, and landscape assets. The position oversees stewardship and maintenance of living plant collections and public gardens across SG museum sites, the Suitland campus, and the greenhouse nursery facility. It exercises supervisory authority, including interviewing candidates, recommending personnel actions, setting performance goals, and evaluating subordinate employees. The role also coordinates communications and operational activities across agencies and museums, and leads responses to emergencies affecting people, facilities, and living collections.

Requirements

Meet the basic education requirement for the Horticulture Series 0437: a degree in horticulture or a related basic plant science discipline that includes at least 30 semester hours in basic plant sciences, including at least 16 semester hours in horticultural subjects; or equivalent coursework combined with appropriate experience or additional education.
For GS-15, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal Service, leading and exercising full authority over a horticulture or landscape organization through subordinate supervisors, including technical direction, budget formulation and execution, and persuading executives and outside agencies to support program goals despite resistance.
Submit a resume of no more than two pages that clearly demonstrates relevant experience.
If qualifying through education, submit transcripts; selected candidates who use education to qualify must provide an official transcript before beginning work.
For foreign education used to qualify, provide evidence that it has been evaluated as equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program or received full credit at a U.S.-accredited institution.
Pass a pre-employment background investigation.
Maintain a bank account for direct deposit or electronic transfer.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
May be required to complete a probationary period, including a 12-month supervisory probationary period.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, strategic direction, and professional expertise in horticultural operations, landscape design, plant stewardship, sustainable landscape management, visitor operations, and emergency management.
Promote stewardship of living plant collections and public gardens, including turf and soil management, tree and shrub maintenance, integrated pest management, and plant disease control across Smithsonian Gardens museum sites, the Suitland campus, and the greenhouse nursery facility.
Serve as reviewing official; interview candidates for vacant positions; recommend appointments, promotions, or reassignments; develop performance goals; and evaluate subordinates’ work performance.
Coordinate interagency and museum-to-museum communications concerning events, programs, projects, and operational activities affecting Smithsonian Gardens.
Lead operational adjustments needed to support visitor services and the appearance and maintenance of the National Mall.
Serve as the primary authority for emergency management and continuity of operations, coordinating responses to weather, security, and other incidents to protect staff, visitors, facilities, and living collections.
Exercise full authority over a horticulture or landscape organization through subordinate supervisors, including technical direction, budget formulation and execution, and persuading executives and outside agencies to support program goals.